The Concerned Youth of Manhyia South has dispelled claims by Yamoah Ponko stating that Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh was academically poor during school.

The former Ejisu Municipal Assembly MCE descended heavily on the Minister saying, he wondered why people like him who were "academically dumb" back in school had the right to disrespect teachers.

“I wonder why the NPP must treat teachers like this. Today this, tomorrow that. The annoying of it was to see NAPO who was a poor student while we were in school to also insult teachers,” he stated.

But in a press statement signed by Charles Osei Owusu Gyamfi, a member of the group, it stated that NAPO never attended the same school with Yamoah Ponko, not to even talk of being in the same class with him.

"To Yamoah Ponko, which of the schools did you attend with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh? We demand answers. Also, Yamoah Ponko made mention of how NAPO was a poor student from Primary school through to the university. If a ‘poor student’ can win these prizes, then we wonder what Yamoah Ponko meant by a poor student.

1. Distinction O Level Geography

2. Distinction A-Level Chemistry

3. Ghana Chamber of Mines Elective Award

4. Community Medicine Student Prize," the statement read

Read the full statement below

Our attention has been drawn to a news item carried by myafricatoday.net and other media houses, in which the former MCE of Ejisu constituency – Mr. Yamoah Ponko said, “Napo was a poor student when we were in class, I wonder how he can insult teachers”.

It is very unfortunate to hear such lies from a ‘respected person’ within the Ashanti region and as a matter of fact, a former MCE. We do not know the basis for such a person to act in this manner, maybe, out of jealousy – he wish he was the one in charge of implementing such an important policy, FREE SHS.

Firstly, the honorable Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, never insulted teachers, and will never do, as he holds teachers so much in high esteem with that being evident in the number of policies he has implemented to see to the betterment of the wellbeing of teachers.

Secondly, Hon.Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) never attended any school with Yamoah Ponko, not to even talk of being in the same class with him.

Below are the list of institutions NAPO attended;

1. KNUST Primary School, Ghana

2. Prempeh College, Ghana

3. University of Science and Technology now KNUST,Ghana

4. Erasmus University, Netherlands

5. Harvard University, USA

To Yamoah Ponko, which of the schools did you attend with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh? We demand answers.

Also, Yamoah Ponko made mention of how NAPO was a poor student from Primary school through to the university.

If a ‘poor student’ can win these prizes, then we wonder what Yamoah Ponko meant by a poor student.

1. Distinction O Level Geography

2. Distinction A Level Chemistry

3. Ghana Chamber of Mines Elective Award

4. Community Medicine Student Prize

5. General Surgery Prize`

6. Best Student MB. Ch B (Best Student, Medical School)

7. University Fellowship Award, Netherlands Government

The Hon. Minister has been an intelligent person throughout his schooling period, and as such all comments made by Yamoah Ponko should be ignored. Yamoah Ponko, is advised that, by virtue of his age and the office he once occupied, should save the entire Ghanaian populace such lies.

Signed:

Charles Osei Owusu Gyamfi (OMAN)

Member, Concerned Youth of Manhyia South.